Nutrition Q & A
Will Eating Lots of Sugar Cause Diabetes?
Just eating a lot of sugary foods does not cause diabetes. However, eating too many foods with added sugars may lead to weight gain from too many calories. And, these foods may be replacing the healthy foods your body needs.
Overweight is one of the most common risk factors for developing diabetes. Other risk factors are:
- Being inactive
- Age greater than 45 years
- History of diabetes in a close family member
- History of gestational diabetes (diabetes occurring during pregnancy)
- Delivering a baby weighing 9 or more pounds
- High triglycerides and low HDL ("good") cholesterol
Also, research has found that African "Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asian Americans have a greater risk of developing diabetes.
Learn More About This Topic
Diabetes »
Resources:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, 3rd edition
Hardbound »
Softbound »
American Diabetes Association »